The stripe pattern will distinguish Atacta from most (not all) other Tachinidae: thorax with four broad, dark stripes in front, the middle pair fading out to be replaced by a single stripe down the middle extending onto the scutellum. Winthemiini have a tendency to develop a median stripe in addition to four lateral stripes, but most have conspicuously hairy eyes. Some Tachinidae (e.g. Drino rhoeo) have four continuous broad, black stripes without a median stripe. Many genera have four narrow stripes of varying lengths, with or without a median stripe. The pedicel of Atacta is approximately the same length as the first flagellomere (postpedicel), compared to much shorter in most Exoristinae.

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